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optic nerve (CN II, ON)
Special sensory afferent fibers relay visual stimuli.
Origin: retinal ganglion cells
Afferents:
1) lateral geniculate nucleus in the thalamus
2) superior colliculus
3) pretectum
Course:
- it exits the cranium through the optic canal.
- optic fibers temporal to the fovea connect with the brain ipsilaterally
- fibers nasal to the fovea cross over to the contralateral side at the optic chiasm
Notes:
- although classified as a cranial nerve, it is actually an extension of the forebrain
Related
optic nerve pallor
Specific
outer/dural/external sheath of optic nerve
General
cranial nerve
References
- Grant's Atlas of Anatomy, 10th edition, AMR Agur & MJ Lee (eds),
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 1999
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
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images related to optic nerve (CN II, ON)